Founder
Aaron Noveshen
Founder & CEO
The visionary behind starbird chicken. Aaron spent 20 years studying food before betting it all on one bold idea: that fast food could be truly good food.
Our Story
About Starbird
From a simple idea to one of the boldest starbird chicken experiences in the United States — discover who we are and why we do what we do.
Who We Are
The Starbird Story
Starbird chicken was born from an obsession with doing chicken right. Not fast-food right — actually right. The kind of starbird experience that starts with a bird raised with care, seasoned with confidence, and served to someone who deserves better than ordinary.
We opened our first location in Sunnyvale, California with a single promise: every piece of chicken we serve would be something we'd be proud to put on our own table. That means antibiotic-free birds, house-made sauces, and sides that are never an afterthought.
Today, starbirds across the United States know us as the place where bold flavors meet real quality. We haven't lost sight of what started it all — the belief that fast food can be good food, and that every customer deserves a meal worth remembering.
2016
Founded
12+
Locations
500K+
Meals Served
4.8
Avg Rating
Since 2016
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Vision
Every decision we make is guided by three unshakeable beliefs about what starbird chicken should be.
Real Ingredients Only
We source antibiotic-free chicken and fresh, whole ingredients. No artificial colors, flavors, or shortcuts — just honest food made with integrity from farm to fryer.
Bold, Unapologetic Flavor
We season with confidence and cook with passion. Our recipes push beyond bland. Starbird chicken is for people who want their meal to taste like something — not nothing.
Community First
We are rooted in the neighborhoods we serve. From local sourcing to local hiring, Starbird gives back to the communities that welcome us. Your meal supports your block.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
These aren't words on a wall — they're the standards we hold ourselves to every single service.
01
Transparency
We tell you exactly what's in your food and where it comes from. No hidden ingredients, no vague sourcing — full disclosure, every time.
02
Craftsmanship
Every recipe is developed with obsessive care. We test, refine, and perfect before anything reaches your hands. Good enough is never good enough at Starbird.
03
Sustainability
We choose packaging, suppliers, and practices that protect the planet. Better food shouldn't cost the earth — we mean that both ways.
04
Inclusion
Great chicken is for everyone. Our team and our tables welcome all people, all backgrounds, and all taste buds. We cook for the whole community.
Quality You Can Taste
Every ingredient chosen with purpose
How We Got Here
Our History
Every great starbird chicken has an origin story. Here's ours, year by unforgettable year.
2016
The First Starbird Opens
Founders Aaron Noveshen and the founding team opened the original Starbird location in Sunnyvale, CA with a bold idea: reinvent fast food with real ingredients and bold starbird flavor.
2017
Cult Following Grows
Word spread fast across the Bay Area. Lines around the block, social media buzz, and zero advertising budget. Starbird chicken earned its fans purely on flavor and quality.
2018
San Jose & Beyond
Second and third locations launched across Silicon Valley. The concept proved repeatable without losing the soul. Each restaurant maintained the same bold standards as the original.
2020
Digital-First Pivot
Starbird launched dedicated digital ordering and delivery platforms, making bold starbirds-quality chicken accessible to customers across the United States without leaving home.
2022
National Recognition
Featured in major food publications and named one of the top emerging fast-casual chains in the United States. Starbird chicken became a name that went beyond the Bay Area.
2024 — Today
Growing Stronger
With over 12 locations, hundreds of thousands of meals served, and a devoted community of starbird fans — we're just getting started. The next chapter is our boldest yet.
The People Behind the Bird
Meet Our Team
Passionate, skilled, and obsessed with flavor — these are the people who make every Starbird chicken experience worth coming back for.
Founder
Head Chef
Maria Santos
Executive Head Chef
Maria developed every signature sauce and seasoning blend that makes Starbird chicken unforgettable. Her culinary intuition drives menu innovation across all locations.
Operations
James Okafor
Director of Operations
James ensures that the starbirds experience is consistent across every single location. From supply chain to service standards — he's the engine that keeps Starbird running smoothly.
Marketing
Priya Mehta
Head of Brand & Marketing
Priya is the voice behind Starbird's bold brand identity. She transformed starbird chicken from a local gem into a recognized name across the United States.